Fitness trainer held for molesting 16-year-old girl

Accused misbehaved with her on pretext of showing her weight loss exercises: cops tracked him down with the help of the description of his silver bracelet.

A fitness trainer was arrested by the Tardeo police for allegedly molesting a minor girl on the pretext of helping her in losing weight. The incident took place at the jogging track inside Mahalaxmi Racecourse.

According to the police, the 29-year-old freelance trainer usually hung out at the Racecourse jogging track and would often offer his services to patrons who came there in a bid to make some quick cash.

On Monday, the accused Rahul Pardeshi approached the 16-year-old and offered to show her particular exercises that would help her lose weight. It was while showing her one such exercise, he allegedly touched her inappropriately, the police said.

“He approached her around at 6.30 am and asked if she wanted to lose weight. On the pretext of helping her with some techniques, he misbehaved with her. There are several freelancers available at the jogging track. He would usually hang out there,” said a police official from Tardeo.

After the incident, the minor girl went home and told her parents who immediately approached the police.

“They approached us in the evening after which we registered a complaint under charges of outraging the modesty of a woman and other relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012,” said another police officer.

Interestingly, it was a piece of vain jewellery that led the cops to Pardeshi. In her complaint, while describing him, the victim had mentioned a silver bracelet he wore.

“Our officer Abhijit Tekawade had once settled a dispute between Pardeshi and his brother in 2015 and remembered the bracelet. Based on that and the information gathered from other joggers, we were able to identify and arrest him,” said Bajrang Jagtap, Sub-Inspector, Tardeo.